Take a first step toward working in the Law.

This course can be valuable for anyone who needs to work within a Legal office, Paralegal or Legal Support situation (eg. Law office staff, Paralegals, Legal Assistants, Solicitors, Law Professors, Legal Receptionists/Secretaries, Private Investigators, Authorised Government Inspectors and Officers, Law Enforcement Officers and many others).

How to Get Your Career Started:

If you haven't worked in either an office or legal situation before, you are wise to take a two pronged approach to improving your chances to work in this industry:

1. Enrol in a course. If you have limited time to study, start with our 100 hour Legal Terminology short course. You can always upgrade to a full certificate later on. If you have the time though; consider enrolling in this full certificate from the start. Obviously, the more you study, the more your opportunities for employment are advanced.

2. Get some experience. Qualifications alone are rarely enough to win out in a job interview or a contest for promotion once you are in a legal office. Volunteering with community based organisations can be a great way to get some initial experience, particularly if the organisation has a relevance to law (eg. Neighbourhood Crime Watch committees, Victims of Crime support bodies, Local Government bodies, etc). Volunteering can impress potential employers, and help you stand out from your competition.

Modules

Core Modules

These modules provide foundation knowledge for the Certificate in Legal Practice.

Working in a Legal Support Role

Working in legal services, goes well beyond just being a lawyer. A knowledge of the law is critical to a wide range of industries, from law enforcement and security work, to government services and business operations.

This course may open improve employment opportunities across a broad range of legal support roles.

Working as a Legal Receptionist

Legal receptionists work at the front desk of a law firm. They are the first port of call for client and visitors coming to or contacting the law firm. Because of this, it is important the legal receptionist projects a good representation of the law firm – being well presented, professional and articulate.

Different sizes and types of law firms will have different requirements of the legal receptionist. In smaller firms the legal receptionist may double as the legal secretary. Some duties include:

Meeting and greeting clients and visitors that come in to the law firm.

Answering phone calls and taking messages or forwarding on to other staff members.

Screening incoming calls to determine whether the caller needs to speak to an attorney. Forwarding to an appropriate attorney.

Administrative tasks

May be required to draft correspondence, such as letters to attorneys, courts or clients.

Legal receptionists are employed by law firms, government offices, legal departments and courthouses. They will generally work during business hours, and not be required to work overtime, evenings, or weekends. Legal receptionist work is relatively stable, and employment opportunities for receptionists in general are set to stay constant, or increase.

Legal receptionists tend to earn more than general receptionists as they do specialised work, however their salary level will largely depend on the size of the firm, the firms location, the receptionists level of experience, amongst other things. Generally speaking a legal receptionist will earn a low to middle level income (which can be a higher income depending on the previously mentioned factors), with the added bonus of a relatively stable employment.

Working as a legal receptionist can be a foot in the door to working as a supervisor, legal secretary, or paralegal. Because the legal receptionist communicates with everyone in the law firm, as well as everyone who deals with the law firm they will have opportunities for networking.

Risks and Challenges

Working as a legal receptionist can be stressful at times. Working at a busy law firm with strict deadlines can create stress. The legal receptionist will also be required to deal with people who are experiencing stressful circumstances which can be challenging.
A legal receptionist will spend the majority of the day sitting down at a computer, so may experience issues associated with that, such as headaches, lethargy, eyestrain, and repetitive strain injury.

How to become a Legal Receptionist:

Whilst there is not a specification education requirement to be a legal receptionist, it is generally preferred that the candidate has completed a high school qualification, as well as preferably some formal secretarial or office training. Law firms will also often look for someone who has had experience working in a law office, or in a similar type of role.

To become a legal receptionist, then, it is important to try to gain work experience within a law firm in some capacity, even if it is unpaid work initially.

Maybe of greater importance are the types of skills you will need to work successfully as a legal receptionist. These include:

Knowledge of office practices

Familiarity with the legal system and legal terminology

Computer skills

Communication skills – both verbal and written expression and comprehension

Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills

A polished appearance

Attention to detail

Respectful of confidential information

AFTER THE COURSE

With the knowledge and understanding that comes from this course, you will have a very solid foundation for employment in a wide range of legal support jobs.

Some graduates may use this course to improve career opportunities in a job they are already doing. Others may expand their knowledge and skills through work experience beyond this course, paid or voluntary, to gain employment in jobs such as:

Legal secretary

Paralegal Officer

Legal Clerk

Administration officer

Security Officer

Debt Collector

Financial Manager

Receptionist, P.A., Manager or Administrator or in any situation where a legal knowledge is valued.

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